“I thought I’d never be teaching kindergarten again,” Ellen said.
“Yes, I know,” Leah said. “But I think you’ll be safe in Eagle Rock. Everyone knows everyone else, and we look after each other here.”
Ellen was to the side of the pool now, climbing out. “This is wonderful,” she said, still crying. She wanted to give Leah a hug the minute she got out of the pool but halfway into the movement realized she was still dripping wet.
Leah laughed. “Dry off and throw some dry clothes on, then hurry to my office,” she said. “We want to jump on this.”
“Do you think they’ll hire me?” Ellen asked, suddenly worried she might not get the job of her dreams.
“I don’t know anyone more qualified, and I know everyone in town.” Leah laughed again. “I’d say it is highly likely. Now come on, let’s go make it happen.”
Ellen hurried inside to her room to change.
This was the best news she’d ever had, and the news had come just in time.
* * *
There werelots of new things Scotty and his dad did together like go for hikes, do push-ups, and sit-ups, and going out for ice cream.
The little guy loved ice cream cones or milkshakes. That was their treat, usually after they did Saturday errands like grocery shopping, getting haircuts, or washing Travis’s truck.
He was almost ready for kindergarten to start. Scotty had a new Spiderman backpack, a new jean jacket and new tennis shoes.
The letter inviting Scotty and his parents to visit the elementary school kindergarten on open house day suggested it would take away some of the first day anxiety Scotty might experience on his first day of school.
If Scotty’s current bout of nerves was any indication, this open house event was a good idea.
Scotty’s right leg kicked up and down against the seat as Travis drove to the school.
He’d never seen Scotty do that before. Then he noticed the way his boy had closed his hand tight around his backpack as if afraid someone would grab it. He didn’t even need the backpack for this visit but had insisted on bringing it.
“Hey little man,” Travis said. “Are you nervous about meeting your teacher?”
Scotty frowned and didn’t answer.
Travis was about to ask him a different question when he finally spoke.
“My teacher might be mean.”
“We’re going to meet your teacher today and you’ll see that he or she is not mean.”
“If my teacher is mean, will you come get me?”
Travis exhaled, realizing the only way Scotty was going to relax would be to meet his teacher. “Yes,” he said. “If you ever have trouble, anywhere, and you call me, I will come.”
He needed his son to know that he’d be there for him no matter what. Unfortunately, he’d been off on missions unavailable for phone calls or anything else. He’d had no chance to prove the promise to his son yet. Words weren’t going to be enough for the security of knowing his dad would be there, for that to sink in, but in time, as actions matched his words, it would.
“Let’s go meet your teacher, and then we can go get an ice cream.”
“It’s not Saturday,” Scotty said.
“No, it’s not,” Travis said. “But this is a special day and one to celebrate. You’re going to be in kindergarten and that’s worth a celebration.”
Scotty sat up a little straighter. “I’m bigger now.”
Travis reached over and rustled the hair on the top of Scotty’s head. “Yes, you are, little man. Yes, you are.”
They reached the parking lot of the elementary school and Travis parked, then turned to Scotty. “You ready?”
